Your Daily Slice

CHESHVAN 28

My Identity

“And this is the HISTORY of the descendants of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham was the father of Isaac.”  (Gen 25:19 AMP, emphasis mine)

The past several decades have seen a rising interest in researching our ‘roots’, our ancestry, our genealogy and heritage.  The desire to know where we came from, to learn who our ancestors are, to find out something of how they lived is truly fascinating.  With the emergence of websites dedicated to this type of research, as well as the new field of DNA testing and identification, the results can be exciting, as well as –to some – disappointing.  Even those who were adopted outside of their birth families now have the means to find out their birth legacy and learn of their roots and history.  Amazing, truly amazing.

And this is not all a bad thing.  For myself, I am a first generation American; both of my parents immigrated to the United States from Denmark before I was born.  My heritage is that of a Scandinavian, and I know of many family members still living in the country of Denmark, a country I have visited on several occasions.  I am thankful for all the generations that went before me, making me what I am today.

However, being of Danish ancestry does not define who I am.  The Words of the Living Elohim, as written down for us in what is known as the Bible, is my history, and is the source of my identity.  Because I have chosen the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as my eternal Father and King, I am now a child of His (see 2Cor 6:17-18).  Because I choose to walk in His ordinances, laws and precepts – His Torah – I am now adopted into the family of Messiah (see Eph 1:5).  This is the identity I choose to recognize and promote.

“For You are our Father, though Aḇraham does not know us, and Yisra’ĕl does not recognise us. You, O יהוה, are our Father, our Redeemer – Your Name is from of old.”  (Isa 63:16 ISR)

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, and if children, also heirs – truly heirs of Elohim, and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him, in order that we also be exalted together.” (Rom 8:15-17 ISR)

  

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